MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CAUSE FACTORS AND IDENTIFICATION OF COUNTERMEASURES

An on-scene, in-depth investigation of 900 motorcycle accidents was conducted in Los Angeles, California. Crash tests were conducted to train the research team in accident reconstruction. The accident investigators, who were both motorcyclists and scientists, collected human factors, vehicle and environmental data. Motorcycle rider error was found to be the principal causative factor in 40% of the cases, and violation of the cyclist's right of way in 50% of the accidents. Intersections were found to be particularly dangerous, and motorcycle conspicuity a major problem. In 77% of the multiple vehicle collisions, cars came from the 11:00, 12:00, or 1:00 o'clock position, and the car turning left in front of the oncoming motorcycle was the typical critical accident configuration. Use of headlights is very effective in reducing these types of accidents, as well as the wearing of high-visibility upper torso garments. Equipment such as face shields or goggles are warranted, mainly to aid driver vision. The median pre-crash speed for the involved motorcycles was 30 mph. Most accident-involved cyclists have had no formal training and lack collision-avoidance skills (with braking a particular problem). Helmets are critical in preventing head injuries. Included is a question-and-answer session which followed a film presentation on helmet effectiveness.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Published in HS-031 132, "International Motorcycle Safety Conference Proceedings. Volume 4: Supplementary Papers," Linthicum, Maryland, 1980, pp 1753-73. Conference held in Washington, D.C., 18-23 May 1980. Transcript from a cassette tape of presentation. Research sponsored by the Department of Transportation.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Southern California, Los Angeles

  Traffic Safety Center, University Park
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90007
• Authors:
  • Hurt Jr, H H
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Pagination: 19 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Clothing; Countermeasures; Crash causes; Crash reconstruction; Driver training; Headlamps; Helmets; Human factors; Intersections; Measures of effectiveness; Motorcycles; Motorcyclists; On the scene crash investigation; Safety; Visibility
• Uncontrolled Terms: Accident avoidance; Effectiveness; Right of way
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00369698
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-031 145
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 31 1983 12:00AM